Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I recently introduced a numbers of measures to support internet safety and awareness for primary school age children and their parents, particularly in relation to smartphone usage. New guidelines for parents entitled “Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free” are now available online and will be issued to all primary schools. The new guidelines contain practical advice and suggestions to support parents and Parent Associations wishing to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children and can be accessed online. As such, this guide has been prepared for parents of primary school age children who wish to come together to support their children’s online safety through creating a voluntary agreement around the use of smartphones and other devices, while taking into account their own local context in agreeing the best approach, including adopting a voluntary code for their children to not have a smartphone until a certain point in time.

My Department recognises the requirement to safeguard children from the negative impact of using digital devices but consider that it is also very important to acknowledge the value of digital technology to enhance teaching and learning for all students. In that context, schools are best placed to identify and put in place the appropriate policies in the context of their own particular situation, through consultation with their local school community.

This ground-up approach ensures all parents, teachers and school communities are satisfied with the smart phone policy in place in their school. Parents can adopt a complementary approach at home to that which is in place in their child's school, if they wish to do so. The intention is to promote a shared approach regarding the appropriate and beneficial use of digital technologies.

The new supports will include the establishment of a new National Coordinator post in Webwise, an awareness campaign and the delivery of direct supports to school communities through a group of digital citizenship champions forming a capacity-building network facilitated by Webwise and Oide Technology in Education Professional Learning Leaders. Oide, which Webwise is part of, is the national support service for teachers and school leaders and delivers an extensive programme of professional learning supports.

In addition to this, all schools are advised to have an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in place that sets out rights, privileges, responsibilities and sanctions associated with the use of the internet for school purposes including the use of smart phones and personal devices.

It is important that parents are aware of how to keep their children safe online and the supports that are available. An essential resource for parents and parents associations is also the website, www.webwise.ie The webwise.ie resource includes practical information and advice on the safe, ethical and responsible use of the internet. Webwise will also be providing information sessions and seminars for parents, staff, and school community members who are interested in online safety through local Education Centres.

Also, the National Parents Council have developed a guide that is intended to support a discussion between parents and their children about device use. This may help parents ascertain the views of their children around the best possible approach to a potential agreement around the use of smartphones and other devices here and it is available on the NPC website.

My priority is to empower parents and school communities through education and information, so that they are fully aware of the responsibilities and realities of online activities. I understand the importance of online safety for children and through this initiative and ongoing supports, the intention is to ensure that there are extensive training and curricular supports and resources available to assist schools in the development of policies and practices on the safe use of the internet by children and young people.

Online safety and the safe and ethical use of digital technologies is a key component of the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and the development and dissemination of high quality resources in this area is continuing, informed by national and international policy and best practice.